Vargas was in the Rio Grande Valley to participate in a vigil to honor “unaccompanied Central American refugees” at a shelter there. Writing for Politico Magazine, Vargas wondered if, having no U.S. government-issued ID, he would be allowed back through airport security and immigration checkpoints. That was a question for much of the day, as Vargas was detained by Border Patrol agents this morning.

Around the same time that Vargas was being let go, the Department of Homeland Security broke its daylong silence to issue the following statement:

“U.S. Customs and Border Protection Border Patrol Agents operating at McAllen-Miller International Airport encountered Mr. Vargas and apprehended him after he stated that he was in the country illegally. Mr. Vargas was transported to the McAllen Border Patrol Station where he was processed and provided with a Notice to Appear before an immigration judge. He was released on his own recognizance after consultation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

“Mr. Vargas has not previously been arrested by ICE nor has the agency ever issued a detainer on him or encountered him. ICE is focused on smart, effective immigration enforcement that prioritizes the agency’s resources to promote border security and to identify and remove criminal individuals who pose a threat to public safety and national security.”

Jose Vargas RELEASED? So Obama won't even deport people who SHOW UP AND ASK to be deported?